Oscars Broadcast to Shift to YouTube by 2029

In a dramatic shift for Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show, the Academy Awards — aka the Oscars — will move exclusively to YouTube beginning in 2029, ending more than half a century of broadcast television dominance and embracing a new era of global digital access. 

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced a multi-year partnership with YouTube that will give the Google-owned platform exclusive global rights to stream the Oscars from the 101st ceremony in 2029 through at least 2033. 

Under the deal, YouTube will live-stream the Oscars free worldwide, including not just the main awards telecast but also red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, nomination announcements and ancillary Academy events like the Governors Ball — all available to viewers across devices and regions. 

End of an Era for Broadcast Television

For nearly five decades, ABC has been the Oscars’ broadcast home, carrying the ceremony continuously since 1976 and maintaining ties to the awards since the 1960s. Under the new arrangement, ABC will continue to air the Oscars through the 100th anniversary ceremony in 2028, after which YouTube will take over exclusively. 

The move marks the first time the Oscars — historically one of the most watched non-sports television events — will abandon traditional broadcast television entirely in favor of a digital platform. 

Expanding Global Reach and Accessibility

Academy leaders, including CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor, emphasised that the partnership with YouTube will enable the Oscars to reach a truly global audience and foster a broader film community.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the platform’s ability to inspire new generations of film lovers while preserving the Oscars’ legacy. 

The YouTube deal aims to make the event more inclusive and accessible by offering features such as multilingual audio tracks and closed captioning, addressing barriers that have traditionally limited global viewership. 

Why the Shift Now?

The rise of digital streaming and declining linear television ratings for awards events have reshaped how audiences consume live entertainment. Though recent Oscar telecasts have registered respectable numbers by modern standards, they remain well below peak audiences of past decades — prompting the Academy to seek new ways to engage viewers worldwide.

YouTube’s massive global audience — with billions of users and a strong footprint in streaming — gives the Oscars a platform that traditional broadcast cannot match in reach or flexibility. 

What This Means for Viewers and the Industry

Starting with the 101st Oscars, viewers worldwide will be able to watch the ceremony live on YouTube at no cost, making cinematic history accessible to anyone with internet access. This pivot could signal a broader industry trend, as major cultural events increasingly partner with digital platforms to meet audiences where they already are.

While the financial terms of the deal have not been fully disclosed, insiders indicate that YouTube’s bid successfully outpaced other interested parties and stood out for its potential to expand accessibility rather than merely maximize broadcast revenue. 

As the Oscars prepare to leave traditional television behind, the 2029 YouTube broadcast promises to usher in a new chapter in the storied history of film’s biggest night — one shaped by technology, global audiences, and evolving media consumption habits.